[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1231]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATIONS TO FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Fraternal Order of Police on their outstanding victory today on the 
passage of the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act (H.R. 218).
  This afternoon, H.R. 218 passed the House by a voice vote, affirming 
this body's support for police officers across America. H.R. 218 is the 
number one priority for law enforcement across the country and allows 
qualified off-duty and retired law enforcement officers to carry 
concealed weapons in any jurisdiction. The bill has broad bipartisan 
support with 296 cosponsors.
  The F.O.P. has been absolutely instrumental in working with Members 
of Congress to bring this legislation to the floor. The F.O.P. is an 
outstanding organization that has served their membership well in their 
tireless work to bring their number one legislative priority to the 
House Floor. Many of us know the long history of H.R. 218 and I can 
safely say that were it not for the efforts of the F.O.P., their 
current President Chuck Canterbury, and former President Steve Young, 
this bill may have never seen the light of day.
  The benefits of H.R. 218 are two-fold--officer safety and improved 
public safety. Many jurisdictions do not allow off-duty officers to 
carry concealed weapons. Due to the unique responsibilities and dangers 
that come with law enforcement, off-duty officers are at a greater risk 
than most Americans. It is not uncommon for off-duty officers to run 
into people they have arrested or helped to incarcerate. There have 
been documented instances where felons have sought retribution against 
officers who helped to put them in jail or prison. It is only right 
that the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday when 
they go to work be afforded to right to protect their families and 
themselves while they are off-duty.
  These concerns apply not only to off-duty officers, but to retired 
officers as well. A criminal who is seeking retribution does not care 
that the officer who put them away is retired. It is a disservice to 
those men and women who risked their lives to perform a public service 
to be deprived of the right to defend themselves and their families 
simply because they retired.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful to the F.O.P. for all their efforts on 
behalf of H.R. 218 and for cops across the country. Today, I am happy 
to join with them in celebrating House passage of this crucial 
legislation and look forward to working with the F.O.P. in the future 
to see H.R. 218 signed into law.

                          ____________________